The UK government has announced a significant increase in visa fees for various categories, effective from April 8, 2026. This move will impact Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking to visit, study, work, or settle in the UK. The revised fee schedule shows increases in virtually all categories of visa applications made both inside and outside the UK.
Nigeria remains one of the largest sources of visa applicants to the UK, with hundreds of thousands of Nigerians applying annually for visit, student, and work visas. The short-term visit visa will now cost £135, up from £127, while the student visa increases from £524 to £558. Nigerians seeking permanent residency will pay £3,226, up from £3,029, and those applying to naturalise as British citizens will pay £1,709, up from £1,605.
The only exception to the broad pattern of increases is the fee for registering a child as a British citizen, which is being reduced from £1,214 to £1,000. All other fees either rise or remain unchanged.
The UK government's decision to increase visa fees will undoubtedly have a significant impact on Nigerians who rely on these visas to visit, study, or work in the country. The increased costs will likely deter some applicants, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds. The decision to reduce the fee for registering a child as a British citizen is a welcome move, but it does not mitigate the overall increase in fees. The UK government must consider the economic implications of these increases on Nigerians and other foreign nationals. The move will likely lead to increased costs for families and individuals who rely on these visas, and it remains to be seen how the UK government will address these concerns.
